Basic question about sensitivity
Obviously I am mistaken, and I am positive that this has been covered before, but I had thought that the higher the number (sensitivity) the easier the speaker was to drive. However, when I read a thread in which someone is talking about a speaker they have or are interested in, I frequently do a cursory search and a little bit of reading about it, and, for example, a while ago I read a review & specs on the Monitor Audio Gold 300 5G with a sensitivity rating of either 90 or 91 (which I would have thought at one time meant it was a pretty easy load to drive) but the recommended amp was 100 to 250 wpc.
On the other hand, I just did a search and some reading on the Harbeth P3ESR XD which has a sensitivity rating of 83 (which at one time I would have thought meant it was a tough load to drive) but they are recommending amps "from 15 wpc".
What is the number listed for a speakers sensitivity actually meaning?
A cabinet that contributes to output is one that moves or is not inert. This can be seen in the waterfall chart. The cabinet is storing and releasing energy after the driver has reproduced the input. Some people like that. in the general context of my comments, i wouldn’t overly focus on a single specification or measurement. @ghdprentice had it right by advocating for hearing a particular speaker of interest w your amplifier. |
Sensitivity is the efficiency of the Loudspeaker . Having modified alot of Loudspeakers ,the size can have something to do with it as well as drivers and most of all the Xover and how complex it is. It’s always better to have more power , for in transients if youare playing loud peaks can go up 10 times that for a short fraction of a second and the amplifier can clip or distort which isnot good forthe drivers if a speaker says15 watts that’s minimum it is not full range and too what is the speakers capability ,in bass ? Many companies stretch the truth there is no standard ,a speaker can say 38 hz but it maybe at + or - 6 DB which in truth speakers start to roll off earlier then the rated specs ,a good review will show a waterfall plot in how linear it is , I was watching and reading a Perlisten speaker review. They are very linear ,not many dips at all , that’s why allways buy quality and as much amplifier you can afford to have overhead , more so if you are playing constantly over 85 db spend $30-50 on a good SPL level meter to see how loud you are playing . I have a Dynaudio speaker it says 87 db But it can dip down to 3 ohms which is pretty demanding I have shut down a 100 watt amp and my speakers are a 4 ohm loud I went to a amplifier that doubles it’s rating 150 8 ohms 300 wpc at 4 ohms . |
